May 6th

One of the most respected saints in Bulgaria is Saint George the Victor. He is patron of farmers. On the day preceding the day of St. George the peasants used to plant a beech bough, into leaf, in the middle of their fields, in order to make the wheat grow high and, in general, have rich crops. At the door of each house, beech twigs, blossoming hawthorn, lilac or other bushes in flower were fixed. On St. George's Day the housewives stuck green branches to the fountains and the wells and dropped stalks of nettle in the water cauldrons - for good health.

St. George's Day is also the festival of cattle breeders. Traditionally, on this day shepherds would take a lamb, with a wreath on its little horns, to the churchyard. The priest would say a solemn prayer for the health of both humans and animals, and for a rich harvest. It was a custom for each household to have roasted lamb or some other lamb dish on its St. George's Day table. Here follow several recipes, which can help you prepare an original festive meal for your family or friends.